650B Elephant National Forest Explorer

This is so rad. Can't wait to see it finished.

Nice frame but I don't understand your gearing choice, IMHO you won't go far (high) in the forest with a 34x25, pushing the pedal too hard in a climb the rear wheel will loose adherence. And why sticking to 8s ? You could have 10 for a few bucks more and a smaller steps in your gearing, which could be pretty sweet when the bike is loaded.

Friction shifting explains 8sp.

I agree 36x25 is too high off road unless you're just doing canal paths.

Currently not friction shift, it's more of an off road tourer, it got a long cage derailleur for a quick swap to a 11-32 when the scenario demand it without changing the chain.

The larger jump of the 8 speed cassette mean I don't have to shift twice/three time to get to a comfortable gear when laden like on the 10 speed, *especially *in the forest when there's sudden change of gradient.

I usually ride 12-25 on the road, but the inner 34t should be fine on the usual off road route, like the South Down way.

Just need to try it out.

If your shifters are indexed you should be able to shift over the entire cassette in one action. Did you try bar-end shifters ? Maybe more comfy.

Edit : You're Ed and everybody knows you did.

Lol, did Ed try bar end shifters.

ignore my ignorance

super dreamy build. interesting thought about the pros of using an easier gear with a view to having better traction - makes sense.

If your shifters are indexed you should be able to shift over the entire cassette in one action. Did you try bar-end shifters ? Maybe more comfy.

Due to the nature of the T-rex Brotherhoods, I have the unique ability to downshift using not only my hands, but also my kneecaps.

Edit : You're Ed and everybody knows you did.

Have to rep you for this, could not stop laughing.

super dreamy build. interesting thought about the pros of using an easier gear with a view to having better traction - makes sense.

There is such thing as too easy a gear, having a very low GI would mean at a high cadence, you have less velocity when climbing, and in turn, less traction on loose surface (especially on 30%).

Currently not friction shift, it's more of an off road tourer...

All other reasons for 8sp are retrogrouch. :-)

It's fucking lovely. Just saw it when I picked up my folding bike.

my folding bike.

Looks great.

With the chainset issue, could you not just use a spacer to bring it over a tiny bit or put a dimple in the stay?

Dimpling the stay on a custom frame like this just to accommodate a 50 quid crankset sounds like madness to me.

Not enough pics up in here.

^ this

Finished up the brakes, only did a quick set up but already it's very powerful, even thought the pads are not aligned properly (and yet to replace the pads).

Tomorrow, new chainset, and finishing it off.

Only got pic of the wishbone seatstay;

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Holy shit, that wishbone! Didn't see that coming. Are those eyelets on the top?

Yup, and mudguard mount underneath too.

What compound pads do you reckon are best for the Spyres? Will need to change the stock ones on mine soon

Shimano standard pads usually should do the trick but got some swisssstop for now.

Drool

Put new crankset on, a cheap Spa Cycles 46/36 CX ring, think the 36t felt perfect for the towpath, got a 33t to fit in when I go touring, 110mm BB gave me ample of clearance, probably should have gone for a 107mm, but I'm happy with the length.

Took it out for a quick test ride, the tyres are surprisingly smooth on the road, smoother than the Schwalbe CX Comp I used to have on the old Genesis CdF, the low trail worked pretty well with the massive tyres as I thought it would be hard work to ride on the road with 20psi on both end.

Brakes is biting extremely well, did not have enough time to look into truing the rotors, aligning the pads, etc. as I spend a while replacing the crankset.

Reach felt spot on, if a little high, just gotta slam the stem a bit more, quite happy with it, felt just like my Oak, but a little stiffer.

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Pedals tho.

And what bars are those?

That's one serious looking machine. All black can be a bit obvious sometimes, but this I like.